The best goalkeeper's in The English Premier League for 2007/08: Reader's choice!
Ahmed over at SoccerLens summed up this past year's English Premier League the best:
If you believe the hype, the 2007/2008 English Premier League season was the most exciting and unpredictable season that we’ve had in a long, long time. (Source: SoccerLens.com)
For a definitive wrap up of each team's performance, check out Ahmed's post here.
With that said, it certainly was a stellar season. Manchester United in sublime form, Avram Grant's Chelsea were troopers in the face of adversity (having lost Jose Mourinho), the bottom half of the league was just as intense as the top and we may never see the likes of a campaign such as the one past for a very long time...and hopefully I totally swallow those damned words!
Now what about the goalkeepers this season in the Premiership? I took a poll to the Keeper Skool readers, free 10 week report subscribers and customers to get some real "goalkeeper's" votes on whom they thought were the best shot stoppers this past Premiership season...because goalkeepers know best!
John Stevanja
Post a Comment
Email
PrintHull City's Boaz Myhill humbles Watford FC with super save!
American born Boaz Myhill has been plying his goalkeeping trade in the UK his whole life. Recently, the young Hull City goalkeeper stunned Watford FC with a save from close range that not even a big cat on steroids would get anywhere near!
Watford FC left-back Mathew Sadler was left unmarked in front of goal where he cracked a marvelous shot which was destined for the top right corner, when Myhill pulled out a jaw dropping parry.
Kaliaaer 3dg goalkeeper gloves: Sexy, bold and stylish!
Sunday morning tea, and a quick chat with Greg Moran, founder of Kaliaaer is always a good way to start my last day of the weekend. We take the piss, and generally get up to some creative wizadry about the new brand and our collective vision to make it the very best goalkeeper gear manufacturer in the world.
Out of the blue, Greg shoots out an Ace, and I subsequently spray my tea all over my brand-spanking new Asus laptop...poor baby.
The new Kaliaaer 3dgTM is like looking at the sexiest of European automobiles...or women, it is just striking! With bold highlighted colours (in this case fluro orange), the gloves bold lines make you want to buy them, put them in a bullet proof glass case and ogle at them for hours on end. Imagine wearing them!
Arminia Bielefeld goalkeeper KO'd from Alexander Frei free-kick
I'm not going to laugh...well maybe just a little. In a recent Bundesliga game Arminia Bielefeld goalkeeper (I think this is Mathias Hain), was caught pigeon (top right hand corner), from a great free-kick provided by Alexander Frei of Borussia Dortmund.
Now let's not anyone admit of our goalkeeping perfection, because just last week I was caught pigeon from a superb shot just outside my 18 yard box...without the subsequent caning from the ball, that is.
Rio Ferdinand Punks David James
David James had a stellar season this year with Pompey, and although the England No.1 has from time to time been beat up on the football field, he has come through it many times over to show that he has the resilience to be one of the best goalkeepers in The Premiership.
With that said, David James also has a unique persona that shines through even in a rough situation, something that every goalkeeper should learn how to utilize. One of the key principles behind succeeding as a soccer goalkeeper is that apart from having the ability in spades, it is the way you carry yourself through a rough situation.
Friedel & Keller Interview On Sky Sports
Steve Amoia advised me of the following video, which appeared over at EPL talk. It is a riveting view into what it takes to make it in the English Premier League by two of the USA's very best goalkeepers.
One of the key points that Brad Friedel makes is that there are 300 million people in the United States, though in reality 15 or so players have moved into to the top flight of Premier League Football. 80/20 Rule?
Profiles of the Legends: René Higuita
José René Higuita Zapata was born in Medellin, Colombia, in 1966. He began his long career with Millionarios at the age of 18, and is still playing today for a 2nd Division Colombian side, Deportivo Rionegro. Most of his career was spent with Atletico Nacional of Colombia. He is 5' 9" (1.75 meters) in height, and is affectionately known as "El Loco."
Although he evokes many emotions in fans, along with detractors, one word sums him up for me: Entertainer. With Higuita, as Forrest Gump said, "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." As you will see in the videos, he was a pioneer in terms of defining the role of goalkeeper well outside of the 18 yard box. He has unusual technical skills, along with an intrepid nature. Similar to Jorge Campos, who we have discussed before at Keeper Skool, the goal mouth and box are not magnets for Mr. Higuita.
Could Cudicini's tenure at Chelsea be coming to an end?
When Carlo Cudicini takes his regular place on the substitutes' bench at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow when Chelsea take on Manchester United in the Champions League final in three weeks, it could very well be the last time that he does so in the Chelsea blue, as he could be one of the players that leaves Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Profiles in Courage: Hope Amelia Solo
Hope Solo was born in 1981 in Richland, Washington. She is 5 feet 9 inches, or 1.75 meters in height. During high school, she was a prolific striker who scored 109 goals. Although she played goalkeeper at the US Youth National Team levels, she ultimately switched positions in college at the University of Washington. She has been in the US Women's National Team pool since 2000, and has won 52 caps.
Carson rebounding from tough stretch to revive Villa's European hope
Last November, Aston Villa keeper Scott Carson faced the biggest night of his short international career. Not only did he have a chance to stake his claim for the #1 shirt for his country, but England's Euro 2008 hopes were on the line as they faced Croatia at Wembley.
It ended up being a nightmare for Carson and England fans alike, as he gifted Croatia an opener in the eighth minute, and six minutes later, he was beaten again. While England did come back to level the match, the night would end in disappointment, as Croatia scored a late winner to crush England's hopes of being at this summer's competition in Austria and Switzerland.
Standing On The Shoulders Of a Giant
Imagine standing on the shoulders of a giant? From those lofty heights you could go anywhere, and see everything. How does it feel like for Kasper Schmeichel standing in the gargantuan shadow of his father and goalkeeping legend Peter Schmeichel. In one part of your heart, an immense sense of security and certainty as to your possible future, on the other, an overwhelming sense of urgency, of needing to walk in your fathers footsteps.
Profiles of the Legends: Ray Clemence
Raymond Neal Clemence, MBE, was born in Skegness, England in 1948. He made his professional debut for Scunthorpe United at the age of 17. He was part of the tremendously successful Liverpool side of the 1970s that won five domestic titles, three European Cups, and two UEFA Cups. In some ways, Mr. Clemence was a victim of bad timing at the national team level. During his tenure as the England keeper, the Three Lions failed to qualify for two World Cups in 1974 and 1978. He was also sandwiched between fellow legends Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton, respectively.
Is Mark Schwarzer Still Wanted At Middlesbrough?
It must be hard to stand in the boots of Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. Recently Middlesbrough extended his contract to only 1 year, as opposed to the 2 year terms he had put forward with his agent. After 12 stellar seasons with Boro, an extra year would have done well for Schwarzer given that the 2010 World Cup is nigh. Whilst, offers come in from Serie A clubs such as Fiorentina, Schwarzer remains in limbo as to whether to stay or leave.
The Science Behind The Goalkeeping Save
Have you ever thought about the bio mechanical functions behind making a perfect save? Thought not. In fact, there has been very little analysis at all when it comes to the movements needed to get to the ball effectively. One book, which has given a "slight insight" into the enigmatic science of goalkeeping is Thomas Reilly's (et. al) stellar work Science and Soccer
Profiles of the Legends: Gordon Banks
Gordon Banks, OBE, was born in Sheffield, England in 1933. He made his professional debut at the age of 17 for Chesterfield. He was 6 feet in height, or 1.83 meters. He was affectionately known as "Banks of England." Mr. Banks was noted for very quick reflexes and exemplary positional ability. According to a poll by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), Mr. Banks was named as the second best keeper after Lev Yashin. In the modern era, England has produced two of the best international goalkeepers: Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton. Ironically, one followed the other for the Three Lions.
English goalkeeper rotation in recent times
Last week, Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia further cemented Jens Lehmann’s place on the bench by signing a long-term contract extension. The details have not been disclosed due to a club policy stipulating that they will not reveal information about player contracts.
In the spirit of the occasion, I have decided to have a look at some uncertain Premier League goalkeeping situations in recent times and how they precipitated.
